"Often as the subject of the use of cards and the etiquette of visiting is discussed with correspondents there remain always certain points to be taken up and explained..."

"It is generally understood that women leave their husband's cards. The custom is for a married woman calling formally on another married woman to leave one of her own and two of her husband's cards, one of his being for the hostess, the other for her husband..."

"As a rule, it is impossible to do more than make a single call a year on acquaintances in large cities, and this is supposed to be sufficient..."

"Occasions when other calls are obligatory. After a wedding breakfast, a luncheon, a dinner, a card party, or any evening entertainment to which one has been invited, a call should be made after the event whether one has accepted or not..."

"When an invitation to a church wedding, or a marriage announcement, is received, it is necessary to send cards to those in whose name it was issued and to the newly married pair..."

"In large cities it is usual to leave cards when attending an afternoon tea..."

"It is bad form to write "regrets" or "accepts" on a card. A note of reply must be written in acknowledgement of an invitation..."

"It is unreasonable to fancy that one's acquaintance is not desired because a call has not been returned promptly. There are many reasons for delayed calls. Illness in the family, absence from town, many occupations, may prevent the best-intentioned persons from making calls..."

"If an acquaintance calls after a long delay it is a duty to welcome her cordially... to hasten to accept any explanation she may offer and not to allude to it again..."

from...

The Delineator

Fashions in Calling Cards

(for Gentlemen) from Harper's Bazaar

(C.1868)

"Visiting cards for the coming season are of unglazed card board, large and almost square. Tinted cards, especially buff, are fashionable. The lettering is in old English text, or in script. The expense of fifty cards is $3.50. One corner of the card is turned down to denote the object of the visit. In different cities a different signification is attached to these broken cards. We give the custom of New York society. On the left hand upper corner the word Visit is engraved on the reverse side. This corner is turned downed, displaying the word on the front of the card to signify that an ordinary call is made. On the right hand corner is Felicitation, to be used when making a visit of congratulation on some happy event, such as a marriage, or the birth of a child. On the left lower side is Consort, or Goodbye. The remaining corner is marked Condolence."

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